PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Elroy Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denus Zvaruch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kennedy
vs
Zvaruch

195 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elroy Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Denus Zvaruch!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zvaruch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zvaruch wants to control but Kennedy is keeping him busy.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep.

Zvaruch is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kennedy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Kennedy's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zvaruch is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kennedy has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kennedy gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Zvaruch wants to pass the guard but Kennedy is defending well.
Zvaruch is looking to take a break and control but Kennedy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep. Zvaruch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kennedy makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kennedy.
Kennedy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zvaruch wants to pass the guard but Kennedy is keeping the position.
Kennedy keeping moving, preventing Zvaruch from controlling successfully.
Kennedy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zvaruch preventing the sweep.
Kennedy is working hard here to advance position.
Kennedy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zvaruch's guard.

Zvaruch trying to keep a closed guard but Kennedy is proving a slippery customer.
Kennedy trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zvaruch's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zvaruch wants to sweep but no luck.
Kennedy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zvaruch is proving hard to escape from.
Zvaruch wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.
Kennedy tries to stand but Zvaruch is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Zvaruch feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy being controlled here, momentarily.
Zvaruch's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kennedy throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Zvaruch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kennedy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Zvaruch preventing the sweep.
Zvaruch pushes down on Kennedy's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kennedy is looking to get back to is feet but Zvaruch passes into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zvaruch controls the position.
Kennedy regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Denus Zvaruch will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zvaruch misses with a wild body shot.

Kennedy gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kennedy wants to improve his position but instead Zvaruch has moved into half guard.
Kennedy is trying to get back to full guard.

Zvaruch is looking for a kimura but Kennedy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zvaruch to get the leverage.
Zvaruch is thwarting Kennedy's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy is trying to get back to full guard.
Kennedy trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Zvaruch is looking for a kimura here.
Zvaruch is nestled in close to Kennedy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zvaruch trying to control the action but Kennedy is working from the bottom.
Kennedy misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Zvaruch works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kennedy is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zvaruch misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kennedy working to try and regain half guard.
Zvaruch throws some wild stikes that Kennedy manages to avoid easily.
Kennedy is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Zvaruch has taken his back.
I really don't envy Kennedy right now.
Denus Zvaruch has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kennedy turns into Zvaruch and is now in his guard.
Zvaruch is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kennedy dives into side control.
Zvaruch is trying to improve his position.
Zvaruch is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy decides to stand back up. Kennedy steps back and let's Zvaruch get back to his feet.

Zvaruch throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kennedy was covering up waiting for the punch and Zvaruch finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Kennedy scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Denus Zvaruch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Zvaruch puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy trying to control here.
Zvaruch works his way into side control.

Zvaruch stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kennedy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zvaruch's calf.

Zvaruch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kennedy throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Denus Zvaruch will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zvaruch shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kennedy manages to get to full guard.
Kennedy looking for a sweep. Not yet Kennedy, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zvaruch passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kennedy avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zvaruch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zvaruch is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kennedy has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kennedy tries to improve position but can't.
Zvaruch is looking to take a break and control but Kennedy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zvaruch misses with the ground and pound.
Zvaruch wants to control but Kennedy is keeping him busy.
Kennedy tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zvaruch wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zvaruch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Kennedy sneaks out the side door and pushes Zvaruch away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy throws a head kick but Zvaruch moves out of range.

Zvaruch shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kennedy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Kennedy wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zvaruch gets a takedown into half guard.
Kennedy pushes Zvaruch off looking to stand but Zvaruch dives back in and keeps control.
Kennedy is pressing down on Zvaruch's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Zvaruch has passed into side control.
Kennedy is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Zvaruch off and has taken his back!
Zvaruch trying to control the position but Kennedy manages to sink in the hooks.
Kennedy biding his time, looking for the opening.
Zvaruch trying to control the position but Kennedy manages to sink in the hooks.
Kennedy really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Zvaruch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy has the hooks in. Zvaruch is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kennedy has good solid back control here.
Kennedy's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elroy Kennedy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zvaruch has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denus Zvaruch!